Page 5 of Iron Heart

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“Why the fuckcouldn’t you just call me first?” I snarl. Dominic is sprawled on the couch. I’m sitting in the chair across from him.

“I wanted to surprise you.”

“I fuckin’ hate surprises,” I shoot back. Especially bad ones, like this. “Why the hell would you be moving back to Ironwood anyway? You flew out of here like a bat outta hell as soon as you could after high school.”

“I got my reasons,” he shrugs. “Tired of the rat race, I guess.”

“Tired ofbein’ a rat, you mean.”

Dom’s practiced expression slips a little. For a millisecond, I see a flash of anger. But just as soon as it’s there, it’s gone again.

“Tired of working for other people,” he says casually. “I figured I could come back here, start from scratch. Be my own boss for a change.”

“Is that right.”

I’m skeptical as hell. As long as I’ve known him, Dom doesn’twork. What he does is get himself into get-rich quick schemes that go down the tubes, and then skip town before he has to deal with the fallout.

“Yeah.” The shit-eating grin is back. “I got some ideas. I’ll tell you about ‘em eventually. Meantime, I was hoping you’d let me crash here at your place for a little bit.”

“Stay here?” I shake my head in disbelief. “Goddamn, there it is. I knew you were here for a handout. You never change, Dom.”

“It ain’t a handout, Dante,” he insists. His jaw is tight, pulsing, but if he’s pissed at me he’s smart enough to push that shit down deep. “It’s like I told you. I’m comin’ back to Ironwood for good. This ain’t a scam. I’m done with hustling. I just need a place to stay until I can get my feet under me and start up a legit business.”

He gives me his besttrust melook. I should have shut the door in his face as soon as I opened it.

“You on the run from someone?” I ask. “That what this is about?”

His eyes flicker away for a millisecond, then come back to mine. “No.” He shakes his head vigorously. “I just want out of that life.”

“Why?”

He lets out a laugh. “Do I need a reason?”

“You? Yes.”

He doesn’t say anything. He looks down at his hands.

“Dante. I’m asking you this one favor. Please.”

He sounds weirdly subdued. More humble than I’ve ever heard him.

Goddamnit. Dom has never been anything but trouble, since he was old enough to walk and talk. I should throw the fucker out on his ear.

And for a second, I consider it.

But then our ma’s face appears in my mind.

She would want me to take him in.

Family’s family,she’d say.Family forgives.

I pause a few seconds, then sigh.

“You got any bags?” I ask grudgingly.

Dom stays still, knowing I haven’t said yes yet. “Just one. Out in the car.”